Get Ready: 3G Cellular Going Away Soon | Is Your Sewer Monitoring Prepared? | SmartCover Systems

Get Ready: 3G Cellular Going Away Soon | Is Your Sewer Monitoring Prepared?

Mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks to make room for more advanced network services. This may impact your sewer monitoring — EXCEPT if you have a SmartCover system. 

The satellite network we use for data transmission is the most resilient communications backbone on the market. Our system uses a Low-Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellite constellation positioned approximately 485 miles/785 km above Earth to transmit data. (Most networks use a Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at about 22,000 miles/35,000 km from Earth.) This proximity to Earth combined with using the L-Band frequency provides stronger signals and faster connections while using smaller antennas and lower power requirements.

With SmartCover there are no expensive upgrades required. We are the first and only remote sewer monitoring system using a perennial, 24/7/365 satellite-based communications network. To avoid catastrophic sewer emergencies, contact us today to determine how cellular retirements will impact your sewer monitoring system.

LEARN MORE: Visit the Federal Communications Commission website to learn more about cellular communication updates. Plans and timing to phase out cellular services vary by cellular company. Below is a summary of the shut down dates by cell service provider:

  • AT&T: February 2022
  • Verizon: December 31, 2022
  • T-Mobile– Sprint’s 3G CDMA network: March 31, 2022
  • T-Mobile – Sprint’s 4G LTE network: June 30, 2022.
  • T-Mobile‘s 3G UMTS network: July 1, 2022
  • T-Mobile’s 2G network: TBD

WATCH: What you need to know about the 3G retirement and how it affects your life from tech reporter Heather Kelly at The Washington Post.